Bid to curb speed limit by one of Badenoch’s most stunning and historic attractions
Highland Council is looking to curb the speed limit taking in one of Badenoch’s most historic attractions.
The local authority is consulting on cutting the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph on the B970 from the outskirts of Kingussie to just beyond Ruthven Barracks built more than 300 years ago.
The stretch of back road is also often busy on a Saturday afternoon as it serves the Dell - home to Kingussie Camanachd.
A total of 1.4 kilometres is subject to the proposed order which is now out for public consultation.
Highland Council has said it is looking to reduce the speed limit on road safety grounds and cutting road casualties.
Outlining the supporting reason, the council officers state: “It is proposed to introduce a 40 mile per hour speed limit on a section of the B970 Ruthven Barracks Road, which will be consistent with other similar routes and is appropriate to the function and nature of the road.”
Any objections must be made in writing and must specify the grounds of objection on or before the end of this month.
Ruthven Barracks were built by George I’s government in the early 1700s after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715.
The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.
The barracks saw action twice. A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the barracks in 1745 but a more heavily-armed attack the next year forced the barracks’ surrender.
The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden before conceding.
The reduced speed limit proposal can be inspected at the Kingussie Service Point at the town’s Courthouse and also online at https://www.highland.gov.uk/roadsafety by selecting “Road Safety Consultations” or by emailing road.safety@highland.gov.uk.
